Bowling ball hole gauging device



Sept. 13, 1966 0. P. BLAKER ETAL 3, 7

BOWLING BALL HOLE GAUGING DEVICE Filed March 1'7, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet lDav/'0' R B/a/rer Kenneth J Conrad INVENTOAS p 13, 1966 D. P. BLAKERETAL 3,271,870

BOWLING BALL HOLE GAUGING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 17, 196400 via R B/aker Kennefh J Conrad I NVEN TO K5 Sept. 13, 1966 Filed March17, 1964 D. P. BLAKER ETAL BOWLING BALL HOLE GAUGING DEVICE 5Sheets-Sheet 3 Dav/a B/aker Kenneth J Conrad INVENTORS BY @Z I! M UnitedStates Patent M 3 271 870 BOWLING BALL IIOLE GAUGING DEVICE David P.Blaker, P.0. Box 8, Elmore City, Okla, and gelnleth J. Conrad, 7387Broadway, Lemon Grove,

Filed Mar. 17, 1964, Ser. No. 352,450

' 10 Claims. (Cl. 33--174) This invention relates to a method andapparatus for measuring the handgrip of a bowler to drill the holes in abowling ball in accordance with the individual natural grip of a bowler.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide adummy bowling ball of novel construction whereby the pitch, angle andspan associated with the bowlers fingers during natural grip of abowling ball, may be reproduced and utilized to drill a bowling ball ina most accurate and facile manner.

In accordance with the foregoing object, the present invention involvesa novel method which eliminates recording of measurements and scaledadjustments of drilling apparatus. The method and apparatus furthermore,does not impose any limitations or constraint on the bowler whenattempting to position the fingers in a natural grip pattern.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a dummy bowling ball constructed inaccordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view through the dummy bowling ball takensubstantially through a plane indicated by section line 22 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a partial sectional view taken substantially through a planeindicated by section line 3-3 in FIG- URE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the clamping member associated withone of the adjustable fingerstall assemblies.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the insert seating element associatedwith one of the fingerstall assemblies.

FIGURE -6 is a perspective view of the replaceable insert and plugassociated with each of the fingerstall assemblies.

FIGURE 7 is a top plan view of a drilling jig associated with the methodof the present invention.

FIGURE 8 is a side clevational view of the drilling jig of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a transverse sectional view taken through a plane indicatedby section line 99 in FIGURE 8.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be observed fromFIGURES 1, 2 and 3, that the dummy bowling ball generally referred to byreference numeral 10 simulates the usual bowling ball and is of adiameter equal to the diameter of the bowling ball to be drilled for abowler. The dummy ball is however, formed with a span adjustment slot 12within which a single thumbstall assembly 14 is adjustably positionedand a finger span slot '16 within which a pair of fingerstall assemblies18 are adjustably positioned. The slots 12 and 16 are spaced from eachother and disposed generally along perpendicular planes which intersectat the center of the dummy ball. Accordingly, the slot 12 as moreclearly seen'in FIGURE 1, is formed between spaced side walls 20disposed parallel to one of the perpendicular planes while the slot 16is formed between the side walls 22 disposed parallel to the otherperpendicular plane aforementioned.

The slots 12 and 16 extend a predetermined circumferential distancealong their respective planes and are of a Patented Sept. 13, 1966predetermined depth so as to receive the fingerstall assemblies 14 and18 therewithin. The slot 12 extends between the end walls 24 and 26 andis of a shorter circumferential length than the slot 16 which extendsbetween the end walls 28 and 30. Accordingly, the greater length of slot16 will accommodate the two fingerstall assemblies 18. Formed within theside walls 20 and 22 of the slots, are arcuate grooves 32 more closelyspaced from the bottoms 34 and 36 of the slots than from the outersurface 38 of the dummy ball.

Each of the fingerstall assemblies 14 and 18 is similar in constructionso as to be adjustably positioned between the side walls 20 or 22 of theslots. Referring therefore to FIGURES 2, 3, 4 and 5 in particular, itwill be observed that each of the stall assemblies includes a seatingelement 40 having spaced projections 42 and 44 extending laterally fromopposite longitudinal sides 46. The width of the seating element 40 isdimensioned between the sides 46 so as to be slidably movable within theslots. Projections 42 and 44 extend from the seating element adjacentthe opposite ends for reception within the grooves 32. The seatingelements 40 may therefore be inserted into the slots 12 and 16 throughend grooves 33 and so as to assemble the fingerstall assemblies 14 and18 therein. It will be noted from FIGURES 1 and 3 that the slot 16 is ofa width to receive the fingerstall assemblies 18 with lateral clearance.

Formed at one end within the seating element, is a circular seatingrecess 52 having beveled sides 54 to form a seat for a spherical fingerinsert 56. Also formed in the seating element spaced from the recess 52,is an internally threaded aperture 58. It will therefore be apparent,that the seating element may be slidably displaced within the slot andthereby carry a finger-receiving insert 56 to any adjusted position inorder to accommodate the span between the bowlers fingers. Eachfingerstall assembly 18 may also occupy different lateral positions inthe slot 16 because of the clearance therein so as to accommodatedifferences in the span between the thumb and the joints of the fingersreceived in the stall assemblies 18.

The finger-receiving insert 56 as more clearly seen in FIGURES 2, 3 and6, is spherical so that it may be angularly adjusted within its seatingrecess 52 in order to permit the bowlers finger to assume any naturalpitch and angle. The insert is therefore provided with a fingerreceivingbore 59 which extends therethrough along an axis parallel to a fiat 60formed on each insert 56. In serts having different diameter bores 59will therefore be available so as to accommodate fingers of differentsizes, these inserts being replaceably mounted in the fingerstallassemblies 14 and 18.

In order to hold the finger-receiving inserts in their associated stallassemblies and clamp them in adjusted position, locking means isprovided including an insert locking member 62. As more clearly seen inFIGURES 2, 3 and 4, each of the clamping members 62 is dimensionedbetween the longitudinal sides 64 thereof equal to the lateral dimensionof the associated element 40 between the sides 46. One end 66 of theclamping member is provided with a circular engaging recess 68 adaptedto be aligned with the seating recess 52 of the seating element 40 withwhich it is associated in the stall assembly. A recess opening 70 isformed in the outer portion 72 of the clamping member spaced from theengaging recess 68 so as to receive the slotted head portion 74 of alocking screw member 76. The locking screw member is thereforethreadedly engaged in the threaded aperture 58 of the seating element inorder to lock the seating element in an adjusted position by engagementwith the bottom 34 of the slot. The insert 56 is then locked in itsangularly' adjusted position by the clamping member engaging a bearingportion 78 which extends radially outwardly from the end of the insertelement opposite the recess 52. Thus rotative torque applied to the nutthreadedly mounted on the locking screw 76 within opening 70 will clampthe insert 56 between the recesses 52 and 68, in order to lock theinsert in its adjusted pitch and angle position after the stall assemblyhas been locked in its adjusted span position within the slot.

Each of the stall assemblies 14 and 18 may therefore be held looselyassembled so that it is slidable within the slot and the replaceableinsert 56 thereof is angularly adjustable in pitch and angle. A bowlermay therefore insert the thumb in the stall assembly 14 and the twofingers in the stall assemblies 18 within the slot 16 and assume anatural grip on the dummy ball. The grip pattern so established may thenbe preserved by locking each stall assembly as aforementioned throughthe locking screws 76 and nuts 75. The bowlers fingers may then bewithdrawn from the fingerstalls and into each finger-receiving bore 59,a plug 80 may be inserted as illustrated in FIGURE 6. The axis of thebore 59 will then pass through the target marking or indentation 81formed on the exposed end of the plug. With the bowlers grip pattern soreproduced in the dummy ball 10, the dummy ball may be placed in thegimbal structure 82 of a drilling jig generally referred to by referencenumeral 84 illustrated in FIGURES 7, 8 and 9. The gimbal structure 82 isrotatably mounted by gimbal ring 83 about a horizontal axis through pin85, the ring 83 also rotatably mounting the gimbal structure 86 withinwhich an undrilled bowling ball 88 is received. The pins 87 rotatablymounted the gimbal 36 in the ring 83. The ball-receiving gimbals 82 and86 are also pivotally interconnected by a link 90 and the gimbal ring 83is rotatably mounted by the gimbal frame 92 about an axis perpendicularto the axes through pins 85 and 87. The gimbal frame 92 may also beadjustably mounted with respect to the base 96 in one horizontaldirection by a pair of adjustment screws 94 rotatably mounted by thebase and drivingly interconnected by sprocket chain 98 for simultaneousrotation by hand crank 99 connected to one of the screws. A pair ofsupporting brackets 100 threadedly receive the screws 94 for shiftingthe frame 92 connected thereto by the adjustment screws 102 rotatablymounted between the brackets. The adjustment screws 102 are threadedlyreceived in the nut portion 104 which is secured to the underside offrame 92 for shifting the frame in a horizontal direction perpendicularto the adjustment screws 94. One of the screws 102 is therefore providedwith a crank 106 and is drivingly connected by sprocket chain 108 to theother screw for simultaneous movement. It will therefore be apparent,that the dummy ball 10 and undrilled ball 88 may be placed in the jig 84and adjusted so as to bring the axes of the finger bores 59 as definedby the targets 81 of the plugs 80 into axial alignment with thereference locator 110 fixedly spaced from the drill bit guide collar112. When so orientating the dummy ball 10 within the drilling rig 84,the undrilled ball 88 will be similarly orientated with respect to theguide drill collar 112 so that the drill bit 114 may drill a hole in theball 88 corresponding to the position of the plug 80 aligned below thereference locator 104. In this manner, each of the fingerholes may bedrilled in the ball 88 corresponding exactly to the position of theplugs 80 in the dummy ball 10 which reproduce the natural grip patternof the bowler.

From the foregoing description, the construction and utility of thedummy bowling ball as well as the balldrilling method associatedtherewith, will be apparent. It will therefore be appreciated, that thedummy bowling ball will permit a bowler to reproduce the natural grippattern of the fingers without any restraint imposed thereon and saidnatural grip pattern then preserved by locking the fingerstallassemblies in place. Placement of the dummy ball in the drilling jigtogether with an undrilled ball for simultaneous orientation of theballs will then permit drilling of the ball to suit the individualbowler without recording scaled information and without scaledadjustment of the drilling jig.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling 'within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A handgrip measuring device comprising a dummy bowling ball, a pairof spaced slots formed in said ball having walls parallel toperpendicular planes intersecting at the center of said ball, each ofsaid walls being formed with arcuate grooves, finger stall assembliesadjustably positioned in said slots, each finger stall assemblyincluding a seating element slidably mounted by the arcuate groovesbetween the walls of the slot, a replaceable insert seated on saidseating element, and locking means mounted on said seating element forboth locking the insert in position on the seating element and holdingthe seating element in adjusted position within the slot, said lockingmeans comprising, an insert clamping member having an outer portionengaging the insert in spaced relation to the seating element and abearing portion engaging the seating element spaced from the insert, andscrew means contacting the bottom of the slot and operatively engagedwith the clamping member and the seating element for drawing the seatingelement toward the clamping member.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein one of said slots positions one ofsaid fingerstall assemblies in accordance with the natural span of abowlers hand, the replaceable insert of said one fingerstall assemblyhaving a thumb-receiving opening therein, the other of said slotspositioning a pair of the fingerstall assemblies with the replaceableinserts thereof having finger-receiving openings adjustable in pitch andangle to the natural grip of the bowler.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said seating element includesspaced projections received within the arcuate grooves and a beveledseating recess formed at one end thereof.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said outer portion of the insertclamping member includes, a beveled engaging recess aligned with theseating recess in the seating element at one end spaced from the screwmeans and on a side thereof remote from the bearing portion.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said outer portion of the insertclamping member includes, a beveled engaging recess at one end, spacedfrom the screw means and on a side thereof remote from the bearingportion.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said seating element includesspaced projections received within the arcuate grooves and a beveledseating recess aligned with the engaging recess of the insert clampingmember.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein each replaceable insert comprisesa spherical element having one flat formed thereon and afinger-receiving bore extending therethrough parallel to said fiat.

8. A handgrip measuring device comprising a dummy bowling ball having aslot formed therein, said slot being defined by an arcuate bottomsurface and spaced side walls, and a fingerstall assembly adjustablypositioned within said slot including a seating element having a bearingsurface portion, guide means mounted on said seating element and theside walls of the slot for constraining movement of the seating elementthrough the slot in fixed spaced relation to the bottom surface thereof,a clamp member mounted on the seating element having a bearing surfaceportion radially spaced from the bearing surface portion of the seatingelement within the slot, an insert rotatably supported by said bearingsurface portions of the seating element and the clamp member, saidinsert having a finger receiving bore extending therethrough externallyexposed through the slot, and threaded lock means operatively engageablewith the seating element and the clamp member for clamping the insert inan angularly adjusted position between said bearing surface portions,said lock means having an engaging end portion projecting from theseating element into engagement with the bottom surface of the slotcooperating with the guide means to lock the seating element in anadjusted position within the slot.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said threaded lock means includesan elongated screw threadedly mounted within the seating element, saidscrew having a tool receiving end portion projecting through said clampmember opposite the engaging end portion that projects from the seatingelement, and a clamping nut threadedly mounted by the screw in abuttingrelation to the clamp member, said clamp member having a recess withinwhich the nut is received and through which the tool engaging endportion of the screw is exposed externally of the dummy ball.

10. In combination with a handgrip measuring ball having an arcuate slotformed therein, a fingerstall assembly adjustably positioned within theslot comprising a seating element, means slidably mounting the seatingelement within the slot for movement along a fixed path, a clamp membermounted on the seating element, screw means threadedly mounted by theseating element and projecting through the clamp member for engagementwith the ball tending to displace the seating element from said fixedpath whereby the seating element is locked in an adjusted positionwithin the slot, a finger receiving insert, bearing surface means formedon said seating element and the clamp member for rotatably mounting theinsert therebetween, and clamping nut means threadedly mounted by thescrew means in abutting relation to the clamp member for locking theinsert in an angularly adjusted position between the bearing surfacemeans.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,693,034 11/1954Watson 33-174 2,709,853 6/1955 Rassner 33-174 2,726,454 12/1955 Belski33-174 2,891,426 6/1959 Martin 77-5 2,910,780 11/1959 Nefi 33-1742,976,616 3/1961 Doyle 33-174 3,095,767 7/ 1963 Jesonis 77-62 LEONARDFORMAN, Primary Examiner.

1. A HANDGRIP MEASURING DEVICE COMPRISING A DUMMY BOWLING BALL, A PAIROF SPACED SLOTS FORMED IN SAID BALL HAVING WALLS PARALLEL TOPERPENDICULAR PLANES INTERSECTING AT THE CENTER OF SAID BALL, EACH OFSAID WALLS BEING FORMED WITH ARCUATE GROOVES, FINGER STALL ASSEMBLIESADJUSTABLY POSITIONED IN SAID SLOTS, EACH FINGER STALL ASSEMBLYINCLUDING A SEATING ELEMENT SLIDABLY MOUNTED BY THE ARCUATE GROOVESBETWEEN THE WALLS OF THE SLOT, A REPLACEABLE INSERT SEATED ON SAIDSEATING ELEMENT, AND LOCKING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID SEATING ELEMENT FORBOTH LOCKING THE INSERT IN POSITION ON THE SEATING ELEMENT AND HOLDINGTHE SEATING ELEMENT IN ADJUSTED POSITION WITHIN THE SLOT, SAID LOCKINGMEANS COMPRISING, AN INSERT CLAMPING MEMBER HAVING AN OUTER PORTIONENGAGING THE INSERT IN SPACED RELATION TO THE SEATING ELEMENT AND ABEARING PORTION ENGAGING THE SEATING ELEMENT SPACED FROM THE INSERT, ANDSCREW MEANS CONTACTING THE BOTTOM OF THE SLOT AND OPERATIVELY ENGAGEDWITH THE CLAMPING MEMBER AND THE SEATING ELEMENT FOR DRAWING THE SEATINGELEMENT TOWARD THE CLAMPING MEMBER.